Istabul-esque… nearly

14042009

With Liverpool staring at a 2 goal deficit from their home game against Chelsea and requiring a victory with a difference of 3 goals, this quarter final promised to deliver an unusual level of hijinks and hijinks were what it delivered although Liverpool fans, including me, won’t like the denouement.

It started with a brisk pace with Gerrard-less Liverpool taking the lions share of possession. A brilliantly cunning freekick from Fabio Aurelio and a cool penalty from Xabi Alonso put the guests 2-0 up at half time with quite a few Chelsea players on the verge of throwing the towel in.

However, an unfortunate own goal by the Pepe “Clean sheet” Reina was the turning point as Liverpool were looking at a mountain to climb. The reds did score 4 goals, what with their rich vein of goal scoring form, but so did the blues which was unfortunate as Liverpool’s champions league run was cut off this year. Although they are sure to return next year, it would have been nice to see them go all the way again!

If Porto successfully shut out the team from Manchester tomorrow, that would leave Chelsea to assert themselves at the highest level in European football as they would be favorites to lift the trophy in Rome come May.